Modern India's "Rakshasa": 10 things you need to know

Rakshasa

Would you be interested in a role-playing game set in India that lets you battle supernatural beings from Indian mythology and folklore? Rakshasa is an upcoming game that allows you to do that. And in first person as well. Here are 10 things you need to know about Rakshasa.

Genre

Rakshasa is an upcoming first-person single-player dark fantasy horror role-playing game.

Developer and publisher

Rakshasa is being developed by Odd Compass Studio. The same studio will also publish it. The game is still in early development.

Setting

Rakshasa is set in a fictional urban city in modern India called "Rakshakonda". The horror game’s storyline features a variety of locations like luxury apartments, bazaars, slums and ancient temples.

Rakshasa: How the game’s story begins

Rakshasa’s story begins after an unauthorised excavation of a ruin site causes the protagonist’s (your) dormant tantric powers to awaken. Soon, you find yourself a part of a “hidden war” being fought by sadhus, asuras and supernatural beings. A conspiracy threatens the existence of the world, which you must unravel.

The city of Rakshakonda

The developers describe Rakshakonda as a “uniquely-Indian pastiche of towering apartment blocks, ancient stepwells, chaotic bazaars, and shadowy alleys where the fantastical bleeds into everyday life.”

Rakshasa: Characters and creatures you’ll meet

In Rakshasa, you will come across sadhus, flesh-eating monsters and even asuras. Prepare yourself for combat with rakshasas and various Indic supernatural beings like vetalas, pisachas, yakshinis and other ancient demons.

Your choices matter in the game

Each character in the India-based horror game has a motive. The outcome of the game is hugely shaped by the choices you make.

Turn-based combat

The indie horror RPG Rakshasa features turn-based combat where you get to employ various tantric mudras, rituals and talismans against the enemy. You’ll be using spell-based attacks too.

Non-combat skills

When you are not taking on enemies, you can make use of useful skills like insight, persuasion, sneaking and occult knowledge to further your progress in the game.

Rakshasa: Platforms and release date

Rakshasa is set to launch on Windows PC (Steam) and macOS. The game is yet to get a release date.